Today’s tidbit: “It’s hard for me to put into words why I like the beach so much. Everything about it is renewing for me, almost like therapy…Beach Therapy.” ― Amy Dykens
Yup, travel therapy and beach therapy!

The last two posts shared my birthday week and adventures in beautiful Colorado. Now traveling back to Western Australia, across the globe, the road trip continues from Carnarvon to Coral Bay. Coral Bay is protected from the Indian ocean by the Ningaloo Reef, which is a virtually untouched barrier reef. It is one of the rare places on earth where you are able to walk from the beach straight onto a coral reef. Really amazing. If you guessed most of our time here was spent on the beach and in the crystal clear water you’d be right!

Sneak peek image:

Be sure to click below to read more and check out more pictures. Enjoy!

 

Road trip continuing…

{Coral Bay} Made it after driving for a few hours.

As the website states, “A marine paradise in the Ningaloo region of Australia, Coral Bay is one of WA’s (Western Australia’s) favourite holiday spots. With beautiful coral gardens just metres from the pristine white beaches of this tiny, laidback seaside town, it’s a nature lover’s dream. It’s just a two hour flight from Perth to Exmouth and then an hour and a half drive to reach Coral Bay. Here you’ll discover a host of land and sea adventures to suit everyone, and with beach weather all year round it’s a favourite for travellers young and old.

Coral Bay attractions
Grab your snorkelling gear, step off the beach and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Ningaloo’s coral gardens.
You can experience some of the best game fishing in Australia from Coral Bay in WA. Just cast a line from the designated beaches or join a deep sea bottom fishing or light game fishing tour.
Swim with the whale sharks from March to June, or with the majestic manta rays all year round.
Check out the reef shark nursery, just a 20 minute walk from Main Beach. From October to March as many as 200 reef sharks lurk in the shallow waters.
Head down to Main Beach at 3.30pm and feed the schools of norwest snapper that swim into shore at this time every day.
Visit in March or April and you might be lucky enough to witness the annual coral spawning.” Read more.

Since I was here in June it was the perfect time to experience the whale sharks. Yup, we swam with huge beautiful whale sharks (post on that coming next week).

{Bayview Coral Bay} Accommodation for three nights, steps away from the beach. We stayed in a villa (image below) but there was a variety of villa and cabin along with campsites. I didn’t take too many pictures of the grounds, but it was beautiful. Check it out.

 

{day one} Most of our time was spent here, this pristine beach and reef. Wandering around, swimming, snorkeling, talking with locals and tourists, playing in the sand… you name it. By now into the road trip, Chris was enjoying my little camera and as my mom says was my paparazzi. Lots of funny candids but below are a few favorite.

After lots of fun in the sun, walked to the villa and enjoyed a late lunch/early dinner, compliments to the chef 😉 Then walked back to the beach just in time to catch the stunning sunset.

 

{day two} While enjoying breakfast outside (eggs with veggies, rice crackers & herb goat cheese, fruit, tea and coffee) I glanced over and caught a roo right in front of us. I followed after him as he hopped a few steps, stopped and looked around, then hopped some more down the main path through the villa and campsite.

He was getting close to the road and by now more people were following him. Poor guy was scared and turned around, bolting back to the wooded area behind our villa where he came from. Wish this was in focus, but quickly snapped as he went by. Needed my DSLR.

The afternoon/evening was spent at the beach. Couldn’t get enough of this water, the layers and colors.

Went to the villa for lunch and a break before coming back to walk along the beach and watch the sunset. Such a peaceful & beautiful spot.

Found a huge blowfish in the sand.

BEAUTIFUL Coral Bay!! Check back next week as Coral Bay continues and I share the exhilarating experience swimming with whale shark!